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Planting Ideas

StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261
in Wildlife gardening

I have a large borderdeep  that is perennial approx 48 mtrs its interspersed about every 8 footapprox with crab apple trees, with a large 6ft fence as the backdrop. Over the past year even though I have a large tree at the bottom of the garden I have lost my birdlife even though I have bird feeders everywhere and a dovecote given protection by the tree, obviously my feathered friends do not appreciate the openness. I am struggling to find a solution with upright evergreen bushes to plant against the fence that will give me winter colour and berries and the local birds protection, my soil is heavy and the shrubs I would like to grow eventually to the height of the fence. I am looking for ideas if anyone can give me any?

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 23,975

    What about cotoneaster and pyracantha? Birds love the berries and they can be pruned to keep them the upright shape you want. Lots of cotoneasters here, but you will have to google each one separately for more idea.

    http://www.hedgenursery.co.uk/browse/all-cotoneaster-hedging-4640/?gclid=CKDl9fe1trUCFcbKtAodNXUALQ

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261

    Thanks Busy Lizzie but are they rather thorny have boisterous grandkids image

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 23,975

    Pyracantha is spiny, but not cotoneaster.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261

    Many thanks will google your link image

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Birds prefer thorny shrubs as it gives them protection - Sparrowhawks won't chase them into such bushes in case it damages their all important flight feathers.  Children can be taught to avoid such things and will quickly learn anyway - I'm certain my parents didn't avoid planting things just to avoid us receiving a harmless  little scratch.  Sometimes I think we are too over-protective of the young of the toughest animal on the planet (ie us!)

    image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261

    Thanks Verdun this ivy looks interesting as I have such a large expanse of fence it looks more interesting than the standard green ivyimage

  • Pennine PetalPennine Petal Posts: 1,540
    How about forsythia, just coming out up here at the moment. My mum used to have one in her garden up against a fence and the sparrows and blue tits loved it. You can keep it in check quite easily and gives you colour early in the year.
  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 261

    Hi Pennine Petal thanks for this one it does look lovely and after doing a google does look a great one Thank you image

  • bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399

    Have you thought of climbers? Honeysuckle would grow up the fence, and provides berries, and climbers will eventually provide a good structure.

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